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Weekly News Roundup Oct 26th-Nov 1st

Totonicapán authorities continue to reject reforms
On October 28th the 48 cantones of Totonicapán met with government representatives that shared the objectives of the constitutional reform initiative; however, the local leaders are firm in their “total rejection” to the proposed modifications. The communal authorities claim that although they received and listened to the Government’s representatives, the leaders have reaffirmed their position to reject whatever proposed change to the Constitution. The president of the Board, Juana del Carmen Tacam, has assured that the meeting “is not the beginning of a process of dialogue” or debate about the reforms.

Authorities investigate the death of two immigrants in Texas
On October 25th two Guatemalan immigrants were killed in La Joya, Texas. The undocumented immigrants were said to be traveling in a truck carrying 11 Guatemalans, when an agent opened fire from a helicopter. Guatemala’s consul in McAllen, Texas, Alba Caceres expressed his skepticism that the agent was not able to see the people traveling in the truck. The spokesperson for the Department of Public Security in Texas, Katherine Cesinger, stated that the agent believed the canvas covering the back of the truck was hiding a drug shipment, and fired to disable the vehicle. She also said that it is unusual for an agent to open fire from a helicopter when a vehicle flees. The use of deadly force in such an incident has prompted a Guatemalan official to demand answers, claiming that even drug smugglers are not usually pursued in this manner.

Letter to the Editor, re: “Guatemala shooting raises concerns about military’s expanding role”
In response to an October 21st NY Times article, Guatemalan Foreign Minister Harold Caballeros takes to the defense of his administration, saying that President Otto Perez Molina’s actions fully demonstrate his intent to carry through on his promise for a better future; and that, moreover, his government will accept the conclusions of the investigation of the Totonicapán incident and the determinations of the judicial system.